Cranking up the lights
Attach the Genecon to a mini light. Crank it, but not too fast. If excessive cranking takes place, the light will burn out!
Connect the Light probe to your handheld computer. Refer to Technical Hints to connect the Light probe.
Start the software to read light intensity (lux).
Measure the light level from light bulbs, direct sunlight, and light from the sky. Stop recording. Write down, in lux, how the three compare.
Place the light bulb in a black film canister along with the Light probe. Make sure the Light probe faces the light bulb. Hold the Light probe and the mini light in place with pieces of clay.
Cover the opening with aluminum foil to block as much outside light as you can.
Restart the software to read light. Gradually increase the rate of cranking the Genecon. Do not crank too fast, or the light will burn out! See if you can establish a relationship between how fast you crank and how much light is produced. See if you can crank so slowly that no light is produced.
Save the data to your handheld computer.
What are the energy transformations happening here? What is the efficiency of each one? Do you think the mini light is producing only light energy? Record your answers in Notes on your handheld computer.
